The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-31
soUTH1NGToNs sLUGGER.
He Slaps the Face of One of John I
Sullivan's Star Combination.
From the Boston Globe.

@ From the Boston Globe.
New HAVEN, Conn, May 26.-John L.
Sullivan, the noted pugilist, who was re-
Gently challenged by Jake Kilrain, received
another challenge this morning, and from a
Connecticut man, too. The champion re-
fused to accept it, however The manner
IN which the challenge was given is as fol
lows:
Among the large crowd that assembled at
the union depot this morning to see Sullivan
was an old man from Southington. He was
attiled in a suit similar to Or" Chesley'
navy blue costume. On his head he wore a
Panama hat, the brim of which was, on one
side, torn from the crown, and hung grace
fully over his Eght ear. In one hand he
carried a large yellow cane, which gave him
the regular Yale, 80, appearance Like the
others, the old man was very ANXIOUS to OBJ
tam look at the champion, and in order to
do this he cr&vled up the steps of the car in
which Sullivan and bis troupe were sitting.
The crowd which clustered about the door
Of Ghe car allowed the old man to enter and
crafty his curiosity. As soon as he entered
The car the champion and his crowd noticed
that the old man had been INDUCING in too
frequent potations and was fast Succumbing
to the influence Of the liquid which giveth
color to the whisky glass, and they laid
themselves out to have some fun with him.
de advanced to the seat where Sullivan was
sitting and asked if be addressed the cham
pion.
Yes" said John, my name is Sullivan. y
Then it's glad TO meet you that am, y
sad the granger from Southington. "Give
ME yo'n hand, Mr.. Sullivan"
John extended his hand to the stranger
AT this time the remainder of the troupe,
VINO were convulsed with laughter at the
ecnolls and talk of the granger, could not
refrain from roaring. This made the coun-
tIyma1 mad and he turned about.
q "Shee here he said, in thick voice, rye
PACK OF rapscallions, if you're a-poking fun
NJ me you'd better stop it, and right away,
TO- TO- | served this country in the war, and
be gol dalned if don't help to clean you
Fellows out of the State. I'll show you that
you fellows can come here to Connecticut
ana run the State to suit yourselves, and if
you try to do it, I'll oppose you. You're
nothing but pack of devils"
One OF the troupe opened his lips to make
some reply TO the stranger, but the heavy
hand Of the granger slapped the athlete
across the mouth.
shut up now" he said. "Don't you 90
giving back talk to James B. Lea, or I'll
smash your mouth
sullivan saw that this disturbance was
attracting considerable attention from the
!nyStanders, so he told the boys to stop
ia9ghlng and let Lea leave the car. But
said:
Sullivan. I've Shook hands with you and
count you as one of my friends, but amt
t 10 more afraid of you than am of your
mrrelngs, II you think you can fool with
me you're mistaken, for I'll defend myself
Stu my country from you and your gang.
, iou think that you're great man, but If
3s ou want TO fight, come here" and Lea
.nrew down his cane and commenced to di-
FeSt himself of his hat and coat.
nc was finally removed from the car, but
NE went no further than the platform
s Mhere he food and shook his fist at the
cn1I,nIlplon until the train left tho depot.
l. Inc last that was seen of the doughty Lea
Ne was sitting in the smoking car OF a
.Northampton road train and was asking
Sle Other occupants if they thought that
my OF the great sports would back HIM
egin sullivan" The match il it ever
ZONES s off, win, no doubt, be very interest
i1 Lea said that his fighting weight was
ia a., pounds, and that he was only 60 years